The Necessities of Life

Instead of rushing for the clock to strike midnight, let us take this time to reflect on the past 365 days. Another year, another time for change. The end of the year is a very bittersweet time. For many of us, this past year was the greatest year of our lives. For others, it was an annoyance, and a true epidemic. Each year is the beginning of something new to come, whether that is a new home, a new job, a new school, or someone new to spend your days with. Each year is the beginning of a new adventure. We make resolutions, new goals, so that way we can better ourselves to be true people, living without fear of the future. We have the power to be whoever we want to be, and we have the power to love whoever our hearts desire. This next year, 2018, let's make more mistakes, be adventurous, fall in love, and live our lives to no regrets. The memories, the laughter, the tears, all of this will soon become a distinct memory as we await the strike of midnight on this cold, December night...

Do you ever just wish that you could fall out of love with someone? You cannot stop thinking about them, nor do you ever find yourself not talking about them. You fell hard and fast for this person, and nothing can change how you feel. This journey with him continues down a long path. This road keeps growing, longer and longer, until eventually time runs out, and you have moved on to someone new. But does one really move on from a past love? Why is it that it is so easy to fall into love, rather than to fall out of love? Love can be extremely toxic, but the adventure is breathtaking. The heartbreak, the tears, and the emotional butterflies, all have a large impact in this world of love. Without love, we would be blind, cold, Earth would be nonexistent. We need love to survive. Love will affect you in wonderful ways, and we must all remind ourselves that love is simply the greatest factor in life. When our hearts break, we must pick up the pieces as if it never happened. We all must lov...

Whenever he is around, sparks are flying. There is a strong connection between the two of you. You have deep, sentimental feelings for him, but you are unsure if he feels similar to you. He seems to care about you much differently than everyone else. His eyes glow, and his smile lights up the room. His kind, generous heart gives you an endless sensation of butterflies. There are so many traits about him that make him different from the others, and the amount of similar ideas you share is ironic. You spend much quality time together so, that sometimes you forget what is actually going on in the world around you. The bond you two share is much different compared to other companions. If all of this seems true, then why must he not see the world as you see him? Why is he falling for someone else? The pain your heart feels whenever he talks about her, the stabbing, uncontrollable pain. It breaks your heart to hear those words, what he could be saying about you. To him, she is different. ...

One day, you are going to meet someone who will change your life. They will sweep you off of your feet and give you everything your heart has yearned for. You know in your heart and soul that he is the one. You will spend every seeking moment together. He gives you the world, and he puts you first before anything. One day, you will begin to think about spending the rest of your life with him. You know in your mind that he is the one for you, and you love him dearly, but your heart is trying to tell you something else. You begin to realize that this man, this guy you have entrusted with your entire life, is not the one. You are fire, and he is the rain, constantly taking away your flame. You were someone else before you met him, not anymore. You had no problems with anything, and you enjoyed life to the fullest. Then, suddenly, he came along. It was fun at first, but he overcame your spark and you became emotionally destroyed. He made you believe that you were something you could neve...

As I sit here on this warm, September day, I cannot help but think of what happened on this very day, seven years ago. The heartache that filled my entire body, leading only to emptiness. My world had shattered. My life was to never be the same again. I did not know how to move on or how to let go. I only wanted to sleep. I did not want to grasp the very idea that of everything that had just occurred. I could not accept it. I sat there feeling useless. What was I, a twelve year old girl, supposed to do? I sat there, looking out the window, trying to understand what was going on in that house. I wanted to scream, but all I felt was oblivion. The sun began to hide behind the clouds, and the world had suddenly become darker...  much darker.

The weather is getting colder, leaves begin to change color, and school is coming back into session. As summer begins to fade away, members of the Elyria Catholic community begin to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year: football season. At Elyria Catholic, football is simply the most important season of all, and the members of the community come together once a week to celebrate the tradition that is "Friday Night Lights." There is nothing greater than gathering together to watch the boys of fall defend the grounds of EC out on the football field. The hard work and dedication these boys put forth is mesmerizing. The Elyria Catholic fans are truly the best. You will never find more dedicated fans than the ones at the corner of Gulf and Poplar. EC football is simply a way of life. The traditions upheld at Elyria Catholic will continue for generations to come, because tradition does not graduate.

As a person who completely admires Disney with all the imagination, I was completely blown away with Disney’s newest film, Beauty and the Beast. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie, ever. Belle herself is a true role model and idol for her dedication to putting her father’s needs before her own and her dedication to learning about new ideas through her reading. I thought that Emma Watson did an astounding job bringing that side of Belle to life. When I heard that Emma Watson, herself, was playing the role of Belle, I went ballistic. Emma Watson is one of my favorite actresses, and her performances prior to this film were astonishing. I had extremely high hopes in this film before I even stepped into the theatre. The only part I was not fully impressed by was not just her singing, but some of the songs in general. While Beauty and the Beast is in fact also a Broadway musical, this live-action film did not meet up to the expectations of the musical itself. Emma Watson’s ...

We all have a chance to be the superlative people we set ourselves to be in life. We have hopes, we have dreams and the greatest desires, and we want to have the brightest of futures. We all have an opportunity to be heroes. We can be whoever we long to be, and we should not let others dictate what we do with our lives. We must be ourselves, our true identities, and we should not have to change for others, to impress them. We must be true to ourselves and love the lives we are living. You are you, and I hope you never change. 

I come from the clans of Reaser and Meecha, The lands of Germany and Poland. A long line of lovers and faith, And Mass on every Sunday. I come from a land of football every Friday night, With sounds of whistles and crowds cheering running through my ears. The taste of pretzels with cheese and soda stimulating my taste buds. I come from a long line of Panthers, The colors green and white run through my veins. Where tradition is the most important value of life, And having faith means everything. I come from a small, brick house on the North side, Where fireflies light up the night sky, And the smell of pot roast is running through the kitchen. Where bike rides keep us alive, And Catholic education was very important. I come from a desire of magic, Where wishes can come true amongst the brightest of stars. And every dream is simply just a wish the heart makes. I come from creativity and imagination, And a long line of tales as old as time. ...